I have been looking at a Bulldog Pug and need some information about it. It appears to be chrome plated rather than stainless with a 2&1/2 inch barrel. The person who has it for sale doesn't know much about it. The serial number is in the 100000 range. Thanks for any info in advance.
Dating a Charter Arms Bulldog
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Dave Baird
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You want to be sure to get a 1st generation Charter Arms. These will have either Bridgeport or Stratford on the right barrel. And, I am not an expert, but am not aware of chromed Pugs. Maybe it is refinished.
Dave
Dave
DonP
Member
If it says "Charter Arms" on the barrel it's most likely 1st generation, pretty well made and safe to use. They are pretty easy to spot becasue they have an exposed ejector rod.
If it says "Charco" it's definitely 2nd generation and you want to have it checked out by a competent gunsmith.
If it says "Charter Arms 2000" it's a 3rd generation and it's a jump ball, since I haven't heard much about their quality.
The original Charter Arms guns were actually fairly well made for the price. A lot of folks, the vast majority of whom have never owned or fired one, will give you a long song and dance about how they will all blow up in your hand. Usually based on something they heard from a gun store commando, or on the web and based on the poor quality control of the Charco guns.
I've got a .38 Undercover that I bought used was pretty cheap (under $140) with the original Charter Arms holster, (also stamped Charter Arms), and I believe our own THR Jim March has one too.
I'd like to say I put a lot of rounds through it, but my wife took it away after she tried it the first time. It's light, handy and the same size as a J-Frame S&W. She has put a lot of round through it and loves it.
Me, I'm looking for another great deal on one.
If it says "Charco" it's definitely 2nd generation and you want to have it checked out by a competent gunsmith.
If it says "Charter Arms 2000" it's a 3rd generation and it's a jump ball, since I haven't heard much about their quality.
The original Charter Arms guns were actually fairly well made for the price. A lot of folks, the vast majority of whom have never owned or fired one, will give you a long song and dance about how they will all blow up in your hand. Usually based on something they heard from a gun store commando, or on the web and based on the poor quality control of the Charco guns.
I've got a .38 Undercover that I bought used was pretty cheap (under $140) with the original Charter Arms holster, (also stamped Charter Arms), and I believe our own THR Jim March has one too.
I'd like to say I put a lot of rounds through it, but my wife took it away after she tried it the first time. It's light, handy and the same size as a J-Frame S&W. She has put a lot of round through it and loves it.
Me, I'm looking for another great deal on one.
rdrancher
Member
As long as it passes the "test", I wouldn't hesitate to get one of the early Charters. No-way could I pass on the Undercover that now routinely shares pocket duty with my 642-1 - and when I do finally find a Bulldog, I'll buy it too.
rd
rd
32 Magnum
Member
If it is a Bulldog Pug in the 100,000 s/n range it will have SHELTON CONN as the right side barrel address, is a Charter 2000 and 3rd Generation AND is polished stainless steel.
The Pug was not introduced until around 1986 - serial numbered 1st Generation pieces in the 100,000 range will have the Bridgeport address and were made pre - 1970. Please note that not ALL 1st Generation Charter Arms were produced with exposed ejector rods. Here links to a few of the pieces in my collection for reference:
http://links.pictures.aol.com/pic/68f0zs-tD1Y2z*0MZfh5wn6uGyQn5RRLtvvBv4xQp5Fd3Ig=_l.jpg
http://links.pictures.aol.com/pic/68f0zs-tD1Y2z*0MZfh5wn6uG0A6edYlboJtv4xQp5Fd3Ig=_l.jpg
http://links.pictures.aol.com/pic/68f0zs-tD1Y2z*0MZfh5wn6uG2gLoI635GZhv4xQp5Fd3Ig=_l.jpg
http://links.pictures.aol.com/pic/68f0zs-tD1Y2z*0MZfh5wn6uGy18C6bwrZP2v4xQp5Fd3Ig=_l.jpg
http://links.pictures.aol.com/pic/68f0zs-tD1Y2z*0MZfh5wn6uG6klveJA-AsYv4xQp5Fd3Ig=_l.jpg
I'm researching the 1st Generation pieces, those with Bridgeport or Stratford CONN barrel addresses and they should have serial numbers below 1,090,000. I currently have 24 various models and configs in my research collection and about 250 serial numbers and models in my data base. Anyone who would like to contribute data to this base, please provide s/n, model, finish, barrel length and barrel address and any dating info; either on this site or you can email the info to me at: [email protected] Note: that is 'ZERO' ONE, not 'OH' ONE. Thanks.
Jim Hauff
The Pug was not introduced until around 1986 - serial numbered 1st Generation pieces in the 100,000 range will have the Bridgeport address and were made pre - 1970. Please note that not ALL 1st Generation Charter Arms were produced with exposed ejector rods. Here links to a few of the pieces in my collection for reference:
http://links.pictures.aol.com/pic/68f0zs-tD1Y2z*0MZfh5wn6uGyQn5RRLtvvBv4xQp5Fd3Ig=_l.jpg
http://links.pictures.aol.com/pic/68f0zs-tD1Y2z*0MZfh5wn6uG0A6edYlboJtv4xQp5Fd3Ig=_l.jpg
http://links.pictures.aol.com/pic/68f0zs-tD1Y2z*0MZfh5wn6uG2gLoI635GZhv4xQp5Fd3Ig=_l.jpg
http://links.pictures.aol.com/pic/68f0zs-tD1Y2z*0MZfh5wn6uGy18C6bwrZP2v4xQp5Fd3Ig=_l.jpg
http://links.pictures.aol.com/pic/68f0zs-tD1Y2z*0MZfh5wn6uG6klveJA-AsYv4xQp5Fd3Ig=_l.jpg
I'm researching the 1st Generation pieces, those with Bridgeport or Stratford CONN barrel addresses and they should have serial numbers below 1,090,000. I currently have 24 various models and configs in my research collection and about 250 serial numbers and models in my data base. Anyone who would like to contribute data to this base, please provide s/n, model, finish, barrel length and barrel address and any dating info; either on this site or you can email the info to me at: [email protected] Note: that is 'ZERO' ONE, not 'OH' ONE. Thanks.
Jim Hauff
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